Six Reasons Why Nonfiction Writing is Easier Than Writing Fiction by Pat Miller

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Well, maybe not easier. But I've written both, and I discovered a number of things that make nonfiction more writer-friendly. Here are six of them:

1. Curiosity comes first. When you observe a baby, you see someone motivated by curiosity. Once his basic needs are met, it’s what drives him. Where’s that sound? What’s that red thing? Who is looking at me? Curiosity leads them to put everything in their mouths, to roll and crawl and observe. Imagination kicks in years later when they are capable of thinking things like, “I wonder if there are unicorns on the moon.”

As a writer, I find that my curiosity is easily aroused. Were the Dodge brothers really as competitive as the car commercial implies? Do some people have more taste buds than others? Who discovered aspirin? What say you, Imagination? *crickets*

2. The ideas are already "out there". Whereas fiction writers have to nourish the tender sprout of inspiration, nonfiction writers need pruning shears to shape the lush growth of information that is readily available.

It's part of human nature to preserve things for posterity. From hoarders to curators, mankind saves things, and saves words. You can find books, letters  and journals from prior centuries. There are billions of  historical photographs, census records, deeds, and obituaries to access from your home computer. There's the realia from bygone days--spoons to carriages, bonnets to armor, skeletons, sculpture, homes. You can see and touch what it is you write about.

3. Experts are eager to help do the work. You don’t have to know what you are talking about. Part of research is to find someone who does. Whether you are interested in the life cycle of the pika or the invention of indoor plumbing, there is likely an expert delighted to share her information with you. Medieval dress, nineteenth century medicine, Inuit burial customs--someone is passionate about it.

When I was researching the mariner who invented the hole in the doughnut, I got help from librarians, maritime history professors, docents at a maritime museum, and newspaper archivists. Don’t forget interest groups, re-enactors, documentaries, and restored homes, shops, and battlefields. You aren't alone with the blank page. Visiting these places and experts leads to a bonus for nonfiction writers--tax write offs!

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4. Experiences and experiments count! Did you try parasailing on your honeymoon? Have you spent three consecutive days in the Smithsonian aviation museum? Do you have a passion for throwing pots, windsurfing, or making doll furniture? You can write about your interests. Keep a journal on your Nile trip, follow up on something you heard about DNA and tracing ancestors, or interview kindergartners about their opinions. It’s all fertile ground in which to grow a true book.

5. Mentor texts often have “cheat sheets”. If I don’t know where to begin my research on a topic, I find a book on the subject in my children’s library. Not only is there useful content, but the author leans in and whispers to me, “Look in the back—I left you a road map.”

Here she may have included a list of books and sites she used to write the book. Write those down! She may thank her experts in her acknowledgement page. Could I start with one of them? Her list of photo credits may lead me to resources for my own work. No need to ask who can help. Your competition is often willing to help!

6. Editors are begging for nonfiction. Even if you are able to create a wonderful fiction story, you face formidable odds. Many worthy fiction titles go unpublished simply because of the numbers of competing manuscripts. But thanks to the insatiable curiosity of children, Common Core demands, and curriculum topics, publishers are clamoring for quality nonfiction of every stripe. According to Peggy Thomas, co-author of Anatomy of Nonfiction, you are eight times more likely to be published in nonfiction than fiction. Besides the trade market, there is the huge educational market.

Even if you consider yourself a fiction or poetry writer, try your hand at an engaging biography (no need to invent the characters!) or some poetic science. Exercise your curiosity as well as your creativity when you sit down to write. It’s easy!

Pat Miller is author of two dozen books for school librarians, hundreds of professional articles, six books for kids, and is organizer of NF 4 NF: Nonfiction Conference for Children's Writers coming in September, 2015. Find out more about the conference .